    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [November 17, 2004]
    [Page 2980]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting a Report on the Squirrel River in
    Alaska
    November 17, 2004

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I transmit herewith the enclosed study, findings, and report for the
    Squirrel River in Alaska. The report and my recommendations are
    submitted pursuant to my authority under Article II, section 3, of the
    Constitution of the United States, and consistent with section 5(a) of
    the Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR) Act, Public Law 90-542, as amended. The
    Squirrel River suitability study was authorized by Public Law 96-487
    (Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act).
        The study conducted by the Bureau of Land Management determined that
    all 100 miles of the river are nonsuitable for inclusion in the National
    WSR System. Consistent with the study, I recommend that the Congress
    take no action to designate the river. The withdrawal provided by
    section 5(a) of the WSR Act would expire within 3 years of the date of
    this message (unless other action is taken by the Congress).
    Approximately 81,501 acres of State-selected lands would be opened to
    mineral entry although mineral potential has been assessed as very low
    and there are no past or active mining claims.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     November 17, 2004.